ASM Global names new vice-president of diversity, equity and inclusion

Venue management and event strategy specialists ASM Global has named Jessica Ragsdale (pictured) vice-president of diversity, equity and inclusion. Ragsdale comes to ASM Global from Microsoft where she worked for eight years, most recently as a key member of the company’s global diversity and inclusion team. In her new role at ASM Global, she will be working with the team to turn ideas into action plans that can be implemented within ASM Global to further the organisation’s education, understanding and engagement with both its own employees and with outside partners. Announcing Ragsdale’s appointment, ASM Global president and CEO Ron Bension said: “We are honoured to have Jessica join us to serve as our new vice-president of DEI, which remains an important part of business today and into the future. Jessica’s experience and dedication to this important aspect of our business fits perfectly with our community and employment goals embodied in our ASM Acts platform.” Ragsdale’s appointment follows a recent announcement that ASM Global is launching the ASM Global Acts Foundation to support philanthropic and community-based endeavours guided by its sustainability and diversity pillars as well as the ASM Global Acts Scholarship, which will focus on serving diverse and under-resourced communities with educational and career-development opportunities. Ragsdale’s focus will be to provide strategic leadership in the areas of DEI by implementing programmes to support ASM Global’s goals and monitoring progress to meet those goals. “I am incredibly excited to have the opportunity to join ASM Global as the vice-president, diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Ragsdale. “As many of us know, DEI is a journey, and this is an adventure I am thrilled to be a part of. My goal here will be to drive purposeful impact that our team members can feel within all levels of the organisation, ensuring that we reflect and support the communities we serve.” ASM Global has an international portfolio of more than 325 arenas, stadiums, convention, and exhibition centres and performing arts venues.